Lightning News

St. Louis in Position to Extend Legacy

by
Peter Pupello
/ Tampa Bay Lightning

Martin St. Louis has accomplished so much in his career that with each and every milestone, comes an additional chance to recognize the Tampa Bay Lightning forward's greatness and begin to wonder about his place in history.

Funny thing is, we might be waiting a little while longer.

That's because St. Louis is still making history.

Currently, the Bolts winger leads the NHL with 58 points, two ahead of both Steven Stamkos and Sidney Crosby.

Should his total hold up through Saturday's season finale against the Florida Panthers, he would become the oldest player in NHL history, at age 37, to win the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading point getter.

Of course, this sort of thing is nothing new for St. Louis.

He's won the award before, previously in the 2003-04 season when he led the NHL with 94 points before helping the Lightning capture their first-ever Stanley Cup.

The scoring title, however, might just be the culmination of a long litany of other accomplishments earned this season by St. Louis, which have factored in to where he stands today on the verge of being crowned as the league scoring champion.

For instance, St. Louis and Chris Kunitz are the only players in the NHL this season who have yet to go consecutive games without a point.

St. Louis' average of 1.26 points per game also places him in elite company, as one of only three players in NHL history to match that mark at age 37 or older, with the others being Mario Lemieux during the 2002-03 season and Gordie Howe in 1968-69.

All of it is significant come Saturday night, when St. Louis has the chance to add another career achievement to his resume, as well as another piece of hardware to his collection.

"Honestly, I just want to try to play the game the right way, finish the year strong, and see where it takes me," St. Louis said.